Enhanced Coordination Results in Increased, Faster Memovals to Guatemala

Credit: Keith Gardner | Date Taken: 08/20/2019
DHS urges Central Americans not to make the dangerous journeyU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) conducted a family unit repatriation flight to Guatemala on Tuesday, August 20th under a new streamlined removal process in partnership with the government of Guatemala. The flights were announced Tuesday following the month long results of this more streamlined removal process for Guatemalan adults and families arriving at the U.S. border.Since mid-July, Guatemala and the United States have implemented a new process to more expeditiously remove aliens without any claims to support remaining in the U.S. This enhanced cooperation results in reduced lengths of stays in DHS custody for Guatemalan citizens, while allowing the U.S. to fulfill its mission to repatriate those illegally present without utilizing resources to house aliens or manage their cases while they await immigration or removal proceedings out of custody. This more streamlined approach replicates how DHS currently works with Mexico to effect removals. The process includes DHS determining Guatemalan citizenship, then letting Guatemalan officials know who is being removed to resolve any issues, and finally, Guatemala confirms identities of individuals after they are returned. Currently, only single adults and family units arriving at the border are eligible for more expedient process.